Creative Industry Summit 2024 Kicks Off at Cairo Business Park, Celebrating a Decade of Creative Excellence

The Creative Industry Summit 2024, themed “Impact Beyond Years,” will take place on October 21-22 at Cairo Business Park. This year’s festival marks its 10th anniversary and will bring together leading creative minds and industry leaders from Egypt, the MENA region, and worldwide.

Misr Italia Properties (MIP) is proud to return as the festival’s strategic partner and host for the third consecutive year. Together, both partners will explore key trends and themes shaping the future of the creative and cultural industries.

Over the course of two days, the festival will delve into critical themes and key topics such as the future of AI in creativity, sustainable strategies for long-term success, and the evolving role of cultural content in Egypt and the GCC. Attendees will participate in interactive discussions, network with key industry figures, and explore trends shaping the future of the creative and cultural sectors through hands-on workshops and immersive sessions.

Led by industry experts, entrepreneurs, and emerging talents, the festival will offer professionals across marketing, film, design, tech, fashion, tourism, media, and more, valuable insights and tools to thrive in today’s fast-evolving creative economy. An Experiential Zone will also be featured, allowing participants to engage with top exhibitors, including the festival’s regional partner, Foaj Group, one of the largest communications groups in the region.

Mai Salama, the Founding Partner of the Creative Industry Summit, stated, “As we celebrate 10 years of creativity and growth, this year’s festival is all about empowering the cultural and creative industries to not only adapt but thrive in the face of global challenges. We’re bringing together the brightest minds from across Egypt, the MENA region, and from all over the world to share insights, foster collaborations, and drive innovation that shapes the future of our industries. It’s an opportunity to learn, connect, and take part in defining the next decade of creativity.”

Building on the above, Karim El Assal, CEO and Managing Director of MIP said, ” We’re excited to continue our strategic partnership with C-S at Cairo Business Park for the third year in a row. CBP’s comprehensive ecosystem aligns perfectly with C-S’s vision of driving the creative economy forward. Together, we’re committed to fostering local and regional engagement, empowering businesses and creatives, and promoting sustainable growth. This partnership reinforces our shared values and our dedication to creating a vibrant environment for creativity, culture, and innovation.”

This year’s festival features an impressive roster of regional and international speakers from diverse creative and cultural industries. Among them are Khaled Tash, CMO of SAUDIA Group; Stephen Corlett, CEO of 180 Amsterdam; Bassel El-Sawy, Regional COO of Kijamii; Riyadh Bin Hamad AlZamil, Chairman of Foaj Group; Ibrahim M. Alqahtani, Creative Director at SWING; Cosmicat Nouf Sufyani, Artist; Miki Lentin, Consultant at Cultural Associates Oxford; and Abdulla A. Alawadi, Teacher Assistant at Kuwait University. Together, they will lead thought-provoking discussions on the future of the creative economy, sharing insights that span from the MENA region to international markets.

Among the notable speakers from Egypt’s vibrant creative economy are Amr ElKady, CEO of the Egyptian Tourism Authority; Mohamed Hefzy, Founder and CEO of Film Clinic and Film Clinic Indie Distributions; Yara Atlam, CMO of Gourmet Egypt; Mohamed Farrag, the beloved Actor; Sahar ElZoghby, CEO of MCN/IPG Egypt; Omar Hilal, the renowned Director; Tarek Kamel, Chairman and CEO of Nestlè Egypt; Shosha Kamal, Founder and Design Director of Shosha Kamal Design House; Tarek El Ganainy, Founder and CEO of TVision Media Productions; and Alaa El Sheikh, Creative Director at FP7 McCann Cairo.

Established in 2014, the Creative Industry Summit has transformed from a conference into a pivotal platform that drives the creative economy across the MENA region. Through its flagship festivals and year-round activities and programs, it has solidified its position as a key enabler of creative and cultural industries, with significant influence in Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and beyond.

Across its 10-year journey, the Creative Industry Summit has attracted over 36,000 attendees, showcased the insights of 2,500+ speakers from 27 countries, and delivered 422 days’ worth of content. With impactful partnerships and collaborations spanning diverse creative and media industries, the summit remains a vital platform for connecting visionaries, fostering collaboration, and shaping the future of the creative economy.